Gifts & Must-Haves
Gifts that click
Gifts that click
Gifts & Must-Haves
Gifts that click
For the tween
miragepaperco.com
Who doesn't love stationery? For that hard-to-buy-for tween girl, stock up on notepads, journals and photo albums she's sure to love. The journals offer her a place to record those indecipherable tween thoughts, and the notepads are perfect for the notes she's passing in class (but you didn't hear that from us!). All designed with flair, these products are a superb gift idea -- under the tree or as stocking stuffers.
Gift suggestion: Girlfriend jumbo journal, $16
For the foodie
fruits-passion.com
Most widely recognized for its yummy-smelling bath and body products, Fruits & Passion also offers a tantalizing array of gourmet products, from oils and vinegars to marinades and tapenades. Reasonably priced and beautifully packaged, these decadent treats make fabulous foodie gifts. And for the poochie, Hot Dog, a new line of pet care products, will make Fido bark with glee.
Gift suggestion: Assorted wine jellies, $16 each
For kids
printakid.com
Entrepreneur Noemi Berlus started Montreal-based Printakid because she felt there weren't enough books on the market that celebrated Canada's diversity. Stories can even be personalized with character names and physical characteristics.
Gift suggestion: A Wacky Christmas Journey, $30
For the music lover
apple.ca
For all things wonderfully wireless, from drool-worthy laptops to ever-popular iPods, apple.ca is the place for you. The latest iPod incarnation features a colour display screen and is available in 20 GB and 60 GB players (that's the difference between 5,000 and 15,000 songs!). Bonus: Personalize your iPod with free engraving.
Gift suggestion: 20 GB iPod, $379, 60 GB iPod, $519
For the aesthete
hoiya.com
Specializing in bath and body products, luxury gifts and home decor items, Edmonton-based Hoiya offers a unique selection of gift ideas. You'll find gorgeous Murano glass paperweights and beautiful products from Danish company Rosendahl. Simple navigation makes for a fuss-free online shopping experience, so go ahead and fill your shopping cart!
Gift suggestion: Rosendahl Large Café Lamp, $89
For the student
urbanoutfitters.com
Think fun, funky and fitting for student living. UrbanOutfitters.com offers stylish and trendy furniture and accessories that will take any student apartment or dorm room from drab to fab. Click on Web Exclusives to find products you won't find in-store. From trendy nesting tables to cool clocks, these items will elevate your fave student's educational experience by helping them create a space they'll actually want to stay and study in! Click on Gift Packaging Info for easy wrapping.
Gift suggestion: Satin patchwork quilt, $100 US
For the art lover
guggenheim.org
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City is home to modern masterpieces by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall. Shop the museum's online store for signature pieces like classic white porcelain dishware, or copper or solid brass frames from the exclusive Guggenheim Collection. Or, search for sculptures, dolls or sketchbooks. Well-priced (though don't forget, all prices are in American currency), these gift items are perfect for the art lover on your list. Note: Guggenheim members save 10 per cent on all purchases.
Gift suggestion: Adaptation of Edgar Degas's Spanish Dance sculpture, $150 US
For the techie
skinit.ca
From laptops and MP3 players to cellphones and PDAs, it seems like we're all walking around with wireless devices these days. SkinIt.ca offers cool and distinctive “skins” to protect and personalize your toys. Choose from hundreds of designs, or upload a graphic and customize your own.
Gift suggestion: Cellphone skins, from $15
For the homebody
amazon.ca
Browse this site and you'll find wonderful ideas for gifts for the homebody on your list. Search for the latest cookbooks, or surprise a budding cook with a recipe box to store much-loved favourites. The box includes 50 recipes for appetizers, main dishes and desserts, 50 blank cards to fill in his or her faves, and seven tabs to keep it all wonderfully organized.
Gift suggestion: What's Cooking? Recipe Box, $17
For the decorista
restorationhardware.com
Online, you'll find furniture and lighting, bath and bedding products. Scratch those names off your holiday list by searching the Accessories and Gifts sections for wonderful Christmas presents, including chic cocktailware and glass hurricanes. But make note -- all prices are in U.S. dollars, so factor in the exchange rate before you buy.
Gift suggestion: Solid brass bronze-finish dog bookends, $65 US
Online shopping 101
Whether you're a confirmed web-shopping addict or a newbie who's finally decided to take the plunge,
here are some tips for smart online shopping.
• If you're mailing your gift, don't delay. Canada Post's 2005 holiday shipping schedule can be found at your local post office or at canadapost.ca.
• Most online retailers offer secure servers to protect your personal information. Ensure you're on a secure site before disclosing your credit card number.
• To avoid clicking your way to catastrophe, check each retail site's shipping and return policies before buying.
• Need help? Contact the retailer's customer service department. Most sites offer a toll-free customer service line.
• Some merchants use PayPal as a secure way to transfer funds from your account to the retailer's account. Visit paypal.com for more information.
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